How to get from San Francisco, CA to Chicago by train, bus or flight.
The best way to travel from San Francisco, CA to Chicago is by taking a flight because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Distance | 1849 miles (2983 km) | |
Available travel modes | Bus or flight | |
Ticket price range | $259 - $298 | |
Cheapest mode | Flight • $259 (€225) • 4 h 48 min | |
Fastest mode | Flight • $259 (€225) • 4 h 48 min | |
Popular travel companies | FlixBus or United |
Travel 1849 miles (2983 km) by bus or flight from San Francisco, CA to Chicago. If speed is a priority, then a flight is the best option with an average duration of 4 h 48 min; whereas, if saving money is more important, then a flight is the best option with prices starting as low as $259 (€225). The most popular travel companies which serve this route are FlixBus or United among others. Travelers can even take a direct from San Francisco, CA to Chicago.
You can travel by train, bus or flight for as low as $171 (€151). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best route.
Amtrak is a passenger train service based in the United States. It operates more than 300 trains daily including trains to Chicago from San Francisco, CA, connecting more than 500 destinations in 46 states and three Canadian provinces. Amtrak offers a variety of train types, including the Acela Express, Northeast Regional, Keystone Service, and the Auto Train. The Acela Express is the fastest train, reaching speeds of up to 150 mph. The Northeast Regional is the most popular, offering frequent service between major cities in the Northeast. The Keystone Service is a regional service connecting Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Auto Train is a unique service that allows passengers to transport their cars along with them. Amtrak offers a variety of ticket types, including Saver, Value, Flexible, and Business Class. Saver tickets are the most affordable, while Business Class tickets offer the most amenities, such as complimentary meals and access to the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge. Onboard facilities vary by train type, but all Amtrak trains offer comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, and power outlets. The most popular routes for Amtrak include the Northeast Corridor, which runs between Washington, D. C. And Boston, and the Pacific Surfliner, which runs between San Diego and San Luis Obispo, California. Other popular routes include the Capitol Corridor, which runs between San Jose and Sacramento, California, and the Empire Builder, which runs between Chicago and Seattle.
United Airlines is one of the USA’s leading airline and operates domestic and international routes. Economy, Premium Economy and Business are the ticket fares that the airline offers for your next travel from San Francisco, CA to Chicago.
There are 2 ways to get from San Francisco, CA to Chicago: bus or flight.
The cheapest way to travel between San Francisco, CA and Chicago is a flight with an average price of $259 (€225).
This is compared to other travel options from San Francisco, CA to Chicago:
Taking a flight costs $39 (€34) less than taking a bus, which average ticket prices of $298 (€259).
The fastest way to get to Chicago from San Francisco, CA is by flight with an average travel time of 4 h 48 min.
Other travel options to Chicago take longer:
Bus takes on average 60 h 10 min.
You should expect to travel around 1849 miles (2983 km) between San Francisco, CA and Chicago.
These are the most popular departure and arrival points when traveling from San Francisco, CA to Chicago:
The following travel companies offer services from San Francisco, CA to Chicago:
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